Moody's Active Shooter Threat Came From Military as Part of Emergency Response

Lowndes County, GA - January 24, 2013 - Around 12pm on Wednesday multiple airmen on Moody got phone calls warning of an active shooter. It turns out those calls were meant for someone else.

Major Brian Loveless is in charge of security at Moody. He said "they were automated phone calls as part of an emergency response network. However I'm not prepared to discuss based on an ongoing investigation where those calls originated or how they originated." He also went on to say "they were originated by the military. We do not know the exact location which those calls came in from."

Things are moving quite smoothly at the main gate of Moody Air Force Base. It was a very different story Wednesday afternoon. That's when the roughly 5,000 people that work on the base were placed on lock down.

Lowndes County Sheriff Chris Prine said "they put Moody down on lock down until they could check things out and sweep the buildings and make sure there was not an active shooter there. Of course we were there on the scene also to assist in any way we could."

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office said the calls originated from a different base and were meant as an exercise. There was no actual threat at any time.

The lock down took effect around 1:30PM and was lifted around 3PM on Wednesday. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Moody Air Force Base Release

The active shooter report originated from an automated voice message received by several Airmen on Moody. The Airmen reported the phone calls to base emergency officials and lockdown procedures were implemented at approximately 1:25 p.m. Emergency personnel responded to the situation immediately and determined a threat did not exist.

"We take all active shooter reports seriously and I’m proud of the way our Airmen and everyone on base responded,” said Col Billy Thompson, 23d Wing commander. “We also appreciate the partnership and support we received from the Lowndes County and Valdosta first responders as the situation developed.”

Security Forces and Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Moody are investigating the source of the phone calls.

Moody AFB has resumed normal operations. All media queries should be directed to Moody AFB Public Affairs at (229)-257-4146.

Lowndes County Sheriff's Office Release

On Wednesday afternoon deputies took a call for assistance from Moody Air Force Base who was responding to what was believed to be an active shooter on the base.

Deputies and members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team staged near the base but were released around 3:00 when an all clear was given.

Sheriff Prine indicated that after communicating with the base command staff it was determined that the call was a hoax and all civilian personnel were cleared from the area.

An investigation is being conducted by Air Force authorities.

By: Eames Yates

Valdosta, GA - Around 12 pm today multiple officials on Moody Air Force Base got phone calls hearing a computer generated voice that said there was an active shooter on the North end of the base.

The base went in to lockdown around 1:30 pm.

That lockdown was terminated around 3pm.

At this time there is no evidence that there was an actual active shooter. No shots were fired and there were no injuries.

Moody Air Force Base 23d Wing Public Affairs Release

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Moody Air Force Base activated lockdown procedures at approximately 1:25 p.m. today due to a reported threat on base. Emergency personnel responded to the situation immediately and determined a threat did not exist.

The situation is secure and all personnel outside of the immediate area were released from lockdown at 2:55 p.m.

Further information will be released as it becomes available. All media queries should be directed to Moody AFB Public Affairs at (229)-257-4146.

Moody Office of Public Affairs reports that there was a threat reported around 1pm this afternoon.

As a precautionary measure, the base immediately went on lockdown.

Officials with Moody AFB confirm no shots were fired and there were no injuries. At this time, there were only reports of a threat. At around 3 pm that lockdown was terminated.

Valdosta, GA - Moody Air Force Base is no longer on lockdown.

According to the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, the Sheriff's Office was dispatched to Moody AFB after a 911 call, they were told there was a supposed active shooter on the base.

So far, that information is unfounded and the Sheriff's Office has left Moody AFB.

WCTV will bring you more information tonight on Eyewitness News.

Moody Air Force Base Facebook Post

Team Moody personnel and families - at approximately 1:25 p.m. today the base activated lockdown procedures due to a perceived threat. Emergency personnel responded to the situation immediately and the scene is secure. No casualties have been reported. As a safety measure, the base is still on lockdown. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Valdosta, GA - Georgia State Patrol cars are parked outside of MAFB on Bemiss Rd. Cars are at a dead stop trying to get on base. All cars are at a dead stop.

Valdosta, GA - An official at Moody Air Force Base confirmed that there is a situation involving an active shooter on the Base. Moody is currently on lockdown. The incident began around 1pm.

Moody Air Force Base officials report that no shots have been fired at this time and there have been no injuries.

WCTV will bring you more information on this developing story as it becomes available.

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